Repeated 'Stalking Murder'... 'Ineffective' Stalking Punishment Law Under Scrutiny

'Sindang Station Staff Murder' Occurs Day Before Stalking Trial Sentencing
Since the Enforcement of the Stalking Punishment Act in October Last Year
Reports of Stalking Increased but 'Victim Protection Measures Insufficient' Criticized

Jeon Mo, who killed a female colleague in her 20s in the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, is entering the courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 16th to undergo a pre-arrest detention hearing.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] The male perpetrator of the 'female subway staff murder case' that occurred at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 was previously prosecuted for stalking the victim and committed the crime one day before the sentencing. As stalking incidents involving Kim Byung-chan and Kim Tae-hyun continued without appropriate measures being taken, leading repeatedly to murder crimes, criticism has arisen that the purpose of the Stalking Punishment Act is being undermined.

According to media reports on the 16th, at around 9 p.m. on the 14th, Jeon (31), who waited for about 1 hour and 10 minutes at Sindang Station, attacked a female subway staff member in her 20s, A, who was patrolling the restroom, with a weapon, resulting in her death. During the investigation, Jeon stated that he had planned the crime for a long time. Jeon was subdued at the scene by fellow employees and citizens using A's restroom call phone and was handed over to the police.

Jeon is believed to have been suspended from his position after working at Seoul Metro in the past. He was charged with stalking and threatening to use illegal recordings against A and committed the crime one day before the first trial sentencing.

Suspect Kim Byung-chan, who was receiving personal protection due to stalking, is being transferred from Seoul Namdaemun Police Station to the prosecution on November 29 last year for murdering his ex-girlfriend.

This is not the first case where a lack of appropriate victim protection measures after stalking led to murder. Kim Byung-chan (36), who killed his ex-girlfriend under personal protection last November, also had a history of stalking. The police judged that Kim Byung-chan, harboring resentment over stalking reports by his ex-girlfriend, planned the crime and applied charges of retaliatory murder. The first trial court sentenced Kim Byung-chan to 35 years in prison and ordered 15 years of electronic monitoring (electronic anklet), and the second trial is currently underway.

The crime of Kim Tae-hyun (25), the perpetrator of the 'three mothers murder case,' also began with stalking. In March of the same year, Kim Tae-hyun repeatedly stalked the eldest daughter among the three mothers, demanding a relationship, and disguised himself as a courier to visit the victim's residence in Nowon-gu, Seoul, where he killed the victim and two family members. In April, the Supreme Court upheld the life sentence previously imposed on Kim Tae-hyun.

Kim Tae-hyun, who is accused of murdering the 'three mothers' in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, is taking off his mask as he leaves Dobong Police Station in Seoul on the morning of April 9 last year to be transferred to the prosecution.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Such stalking crimes have steadily increased over the past few years. According to data from the National Police Agency, the number of 112 emergency calls related to stalking was 2,921 in 2018, rising to 4,515 in 2020 and 14,509 in 2021. This year, 16,571 cases were reported from January to July alone, showing a sharp increase.

Since the Stalking Punishment Act was enacted in October last year, crime reports have increased, but there are concerns about insufficient protective measures and the need for countermeasures. The protective measures the police can take under the Stalking Punishment Act include 'prohibition of approaching within 100 meters' and 'emergency measures such as banning phone calls.' However, the penalty for violating these measures is limited to a fine of up to 10 million KRW. The strongest protective measure, the 'temporary measure,' is also stipulated to not exceed one month in duration.

Meanwhile, as gaps in responding to stalking crimes have been highlighted again, the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution have expressed their determination to respond strictly. On the 16th, the Ministry of Justice announced that it would promptly push for the abolition of the provision on offenses that cannot be prosecuted without the victim's consent as stipulated in the Stalking Punishment Act. This provision means that if the victim does not wish to prosecute, the crime cannot be prosecuted. The Ministry of Justice explained that this provision hinders early intervention by investigative agencies to protect victims and causes perpetrators to commit secondary stalking or retaliatory crimes against victims for the purpose of settlement, and plans to actively pursue abolition through government legislation.

Additionally, the Ministry plans to actively consider victim protection measures by introducing 'location tracking of the perpetrator' as a temporary measure at the early stage of stalking crimes to prevent secondary stalking or retaliatory crimes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.